The Gorham Schools website lists the district as having “an educational program defined and dedicated to integration of technology to advance and enrich teaching and learning.” This is achieved in many ways such as laptops for each student and lessons taught using PowerPoint or Keynote presentations. Technology is also used in math classes in the form of graphing calculators.

These tools are used in more basic classes like Algebra 1 all the way up to AP Calculus. However, Gorham High School (GHS) is running into an accessibility problem with the calculators. Although GHS has some calculators for students to borrow, there are not enough and these tools do not fit into all families’ budgets.

“Graphing calculators are very expensive and it is a big investment but it is also such a great thing,” said Catherine Emery, a math teacher at GHS. “It can be used on SATS and is therefore important that teachers begin using them day one of ninth grade so that students know the capabilities and have the same capabilities as students across the nation.”

Emery has been a teacher at GHS for many years and realizes the positive impact calculators have on students. She is asking the community (GHS alum or not) for graphing calculator donations to the math department.

“Graphing calculators present a unique opportunity for students to see two dimensional visual mathematical relationships and seamlessly transfer between a data set, a picture, and an equation,” said Emery.

“There are probably people in the community who have graduated, have them at home and are not using them. It is a chance to give back,” Emery added.

Drop off boxes are located in GHS’ main lobby by the office.